Abstract

This thesis combines a study of case examples and theories of war to help illuminate the magnitude of environmental ruin and negative human impact of maintaining an infinite readiness for domination in war. I draw from a body of literature on theories of war to exemplify two major concepts: first, that the reach of the military into our everyday (civil) lives has blurred the boundaries of concepts like military and civil or war and peace; and second, that we are experiencing an intensification of destructive forces. I present evidence of the charge that the military is the worst environmental vandal worldwide, and yet can evade public scrutiny and legal liability. I also challenge the logic of pursuing military prowess to 'deter' the 'enemy' or 'protect' 'national security' by examining two specific examples, nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands and chemical warfare production at Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Finally, I assert that infinite war-readiness, or 'peace-fare', is a distinct historical marker in contemporary war and I highlight some of the factors influencing its evolution. An analysis of the lethality of 'peace-fare' military missions demands immediate attention because of the irrevocable environmental damage and potential for mutual annihilation that accompanies its pursuit. The time to oppose infinite militarization is now because it can only offer us insecurity, devastation, death, and potentially planetary annihilation.